Exclusive: Worlds first onboard video of BMW F 800 GS in South Africa!
In this video you'll get the first onboard look from this new Africa Twin from Germany. We taped cameras both to the front and back of the test bikes and rode on the roads and offroad into the bush and up a mountain. Watch the vid and then check out the big photo galleries in the links. TS
Updated! 2008 BMW F 800 GS and F 650 GS first test
I have now returned from South Africa after doing a comprehensive first ride on the F 800 GS and yesterday I rode the F 650 GS too. Through the South African countryside we rode the F 800 GS on roads before I opted to do the "black route" which was very challenging for a bike on dual road tyres! But the F 800 GS does work as an offroad bike and with some serious enduro tyres it would leave the R 1200 GS Adventure for dead trail riding. More very soon and plenty of video... TS
NEC 2007: The babes are out, Charley Boorman interviewed, 250 pictures!
It's all out there now, the news from KTM, BMW, Ducati, CCM, Royal Enfield, Megelli, Triumph, Hyosung, Benelli and Vectrix. The 990 Supermoto, The Woodsman, CMX, Gorgeous Triumph show specials, 08 BMW's, Charley Boorman and a lot of babes! See it all here!
New BMW F 800 S colour can do 186mph!
BMW have just launched a new colour scheme for its F 800 S midrange sportsbike. The motorcycle itself is nowhere near capable of 186mph, but the paint scheme has been inspired by the colour of pyroclastic flows, extremely fast moving and destructive hot ash from bursting volcanoes. So you could say that the shadow of the new F 800 S is faster than the bike... It will be available from June. TS
BMW to compete with new high spec 450cc Enduro April 28th!
Raptors & Rockets said that BMW would launch a 450cc serious Enduro motorcycle more than one year ago. First we thought the new bike would feature a 450cc V-twin just like Aprilia RXV 4.5, but now it looks likely to be a more conventional one cylinder four-stroke. Our BMW factory source told us that BMW would not involve itself in MX just now, but in serious Enduro (competition) and possibly Supermoto. BMW have a long and successful past in Enduro and rally and it looks like BMW now wishes to revive this. It's all a part of the new and sporty BMW image.
The full statement From BMW's Markus Biebricher about the 450:
"The thing is purely experimental right now, data only exist very roughly and differ from race to race. On April 28th there will be a world-championship-race in Puerto Lombreras in southern Spain. There the bike will try to gain good results and this will be the first time BMW will officially declare its claim in the field of serious enduro-sports. The bike will be limited to that, cross is not in our focus so far, supermoto is thinkable, but not decided on yet. Any further developments will depend on the performance and the results of the bike."
Pictures: F 450 GS HP1 CG and G 650 Xchallenge
For the love of the beautiful Boxer!
Poor old Bayerische Motoren Werk is right now in its biggest struggle both internally and externally. The Boxer engine is perhaps an even more characteristic trademark than Harley's V45. After a long and exclusive conversation with Markus Biebricher at the BMW-Motorrad factory we know that BMW have several options to replace the air-cooled Boxer engine. But inside the 100.000 motorcycles a year firm, the opinion is divided. To make the current 1200cc Boxer engine compliant with future emission and noise regulations it will have to be dropped from the line-up for a completely new design. If BMW are to continue with its traditional Boxer design there are several problems. The major problem is that a liquid cooled DOHC version of the Boxer engine would simply be too wide! You wouldn't be able to corner such a motorcycle without ploughing up the tarmac with the cylinder heads. 'It would be too wide and would not corner properly', Markus said. BMW also stated in our phone interview that without the Boxer engine BMW are afraid it will loose some of its uniqueness and be left with engines that are more similar to other manufacturers.
As we all know BMW have their in-line four, parallell twin and single cylinder engines in addition to the Boxer. So one of the alternatives to replace the Boxer line-up would be to use parallell twin engines rather than the Boxer. But then again, that would change dramatically how a BMW GS would look like for instance. Can you imagine a BMW R1200GS without the two cylinder heads sticking out on each side? No, neither can we and this is a big dilemma for the BMW engineers at the moment. The Boxer engine is the jewel in the crown and center of attention for BMW. Biebricher said that 1 or 2 years is not enough for BMW to find a solution and that there are not even drawings of such a replacement for the R-series.
At the same time, BMW is a company in growth and a huge changing process is taking place right now. BMW are sharpening its image with more and more sporty models. But the company is still finding its way in a market bound to change dramatically. Harley-Davidson, Buell, Moto Guzzi and Ducati are in the same situation. Who will find the best solutions?
BMW will participate in the Le Mans endurance race again with a race prepped R1200S. BMW told us that this bike could make the basis for a new HP2 model. BMW are also at the very end of development on the current 1200cc Boxer engine and openly admits that there are not much more to get from the engine. This might be an argument against such a HP2 model. The R1200S is powerful enough, but perhaps it can be lightened?
BMW says Diesel engines make no sense in Motorcycles
And thank God for that! We asked BMW and Jürgen Stoffregen about diesel engines and motorcycles:
TS: What about diesel engines and bio fuels for the future in motorcycles? Are you doing any serious research into this? I think you have the know how from the cars, so why not in a motorcycle?
JS: "High performance diesel engines (like modern engines in cars) in a motorcycle make no sense. They would need a capsule against the noise, this would rise weight. They would need a special and heavier gearbox because of the high torque and the low engine speed. I would guess that a wet clutch is not possible because of torque and the soot which gets into the oil. High combustion pressure would cause stronger engine construction with more weight. It would be difficult (or even imposssible) to find enough space for the turbocharger and for the intercooler.
But all know how from the car side concerning fuel consumption will have influence on future motorcycle engine concepts."
And for those of you that was wondering about the future for the K 1200 LT model:
JS: "Our current LT remains in our sales program for the next years"
"There's no „upgrade“ for the K 1200 LT"
2007 BMW K 1200 R Sport tested-Blue hurricane!
We literally rode through a hurricane to ride the new BMW K 1200 R Sport. Hurricane Kyrill had killed 11 people in Germany by the time we landed for our mission in Munich. The K 1200 R Sport is BMW’s latest addition to the sports tourer segment and with 163hp the emphasis is on Sport. Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Gary Freeman/Redeye Gallery and text here
This is BMW's answer to the Husqvarna deal that now can be confirmed to be just a rumour.
I spoke to BMW's Jürgen Stoffregen.
Stoffregen said that the rumour that BMW-Motorrad is talking to the Castiglioni's regarding an acquisition of Husqvarna most likely is a financial rumour that originates from Italy. There is no plans at BMW to acquire a whole company to speed up any developments. Stoffregen argues that BMW would most likely develop new models in new segments themselves. During the last 2-3 years BMW have proved that it can do pretty much what it likes in terms of R&D. Examples are the high speed K 1200 S with a super powerful in-line four engine and the F 800 series with brand new parallell twin engines. BMW also confirmed that there will be another F 800 model that we will see in the second half of 2007.
We are expecting a naked version of the half faired F 800 S. It was not confirmed that this model will be called F 800 R, but this is the most likely path for BMW to take with the F 800.
In our 2006 interview with Dr. Diess he said that 2007 would be the year of the 800. This is from a sales point of view as BMW expects to sell more 800's than anything else in 2007. No MotoGP involvement or anything else involving 800cc race bikes. BMW even expect the F 800 series to outsell the new G 650 X series. We mentioned that BMW-Motorrad Director Dr. Herbert Diess had been seen talking to Claudio Castiglioni in Milan. BMW told us that the two meet regularly through their involvement in the European Manufacturers union. And that is all there is to it. Test BMW F 800 S and ST
By: Tor Sagen/ F800R CG: HvW
BMW VS Piaggio VS KTM or WTF? part 1
Big things are brewing in Europe. The union between countries called the European union are just small fish compared to what might happen in the motorcycling industry. KTM has been married to Polaris industries from the USA for a while. We hear of a possible separation where custody of the children are being discussed now. By June next year KTM could find itself a new partner. After Piaggio relaunched Aprilia and then launched a extensive offroad programme to threaten KTM's dominance in the offroad sector, another potential partnership have risen from the dark forests of Germany. We spotted BMW-Motorrad's Dr. Herbert Diess in close conversation with the flamboyant head of Italian beauty MV Agusta at the EICMA show in Milan last Autumn. It seems that Claudio Castiglioni and Dr. Herbert Diess had plenty to talk about. When asked for a picture the two influential characters split up straight away. Dr. Diess told me that he was afraid there could be speculations. This is the story of the beauty and the beast retold and now we have to mention this encounter in this setting. Could it really be that the maker of big and brute Boxer's fancies its chances with the petite and beautiful Husqvarna? We bet, and if not we're sure Polaris wouldn't mind a flirt after the KTM cool-down. More on this story as it develops. We have arranged interviews with all involved parties. Watch this space!
2007 BMW R 1200 ST Limited Edition
BMW might not have sold as many of the quirky looking R 1200 ST as they could have hoped. So the German juggernaut have thrown virtually every possible accessory at the ST in a 500 Limited Edition run. It includes ASC (anti spin traction control), RDC, Integral ABS II and ESA (Electronic suspension adjustment). In addition you get heated grips, centre stand and some extra chrome. All this at Euro 15.195! Sounds like a real bargain to us. Read more about ASC and other BMW high tech acronyms here. Below we have added some links to the R models that we have tested. Coming next week: exclusive test of 2007 BMW K 1200 R Sport
Same as the K 1200 R, but with a half R 1200 S front cowling. 163bhp can be applied more freely for longer...?
G 650 X Moto
BMW wants the new G650X series to attract more young riders to the brand and then grow old with them. The new singles produce 53bhp and 60Nm whilst the new aluminium chassis keeps the weight very low. Claimed dry weight is between 144-148kg depending on which of the three you fancy.
G 650 X Challenge
G 650 X Country
2007 BMW HP2 Megamoto 1200
BMW just made the HP2 much more accessible to a lot more people. This should be one for the sports bike owner that wants something different without sacrificing big bike torque whilst still having more than 100bhp available to play with. Competes with KTM 950 SM R and Ducati Hypermotard.
2007 Colour changes to K 1200 S, R 1200 RT, K 1200 LT and R 1200 GS
2007 BMW R 1200 R, traction control for the people!
BMW is continuing its strategy of launching models spread out through the year. With the new R 1200 R comes a very special option for a road bike-traction control. BMW calls it ASC (Automatic Stability Control). For the traction control to work you also need the ABS option at 1000 Euro extra. Traction control and ABS could make this bike the safest wet weather and winter bike ever. The R 1200 R is an evolution of the old R 1150 R (as featured in the latest Hollywood blockbuster Ultraviolet with Milla Jovovich) much in the same way as every other big BMW Boxer, R1200GS, R1200S and so on. The new engine has received a mixture of performance that has placed it in between the GS and R1200S models. BMW claims 109bhp @ 7.500rpm and 115Nm @ 6.000rpm. That is enough power to make the R 1200 R Roadster stand up vertically on its Paralever EVO wherever you want it to. Unless the traction control is switched on that is... A brand new ABS system has also been launched. The claimed dry weight is the same, fairly lightweight for a 1170cc Boxer, 198kg as the R 1200 GS. We have already tested the bike in Germany. Read the worlds first impressions hereand in the blog. Video BMW R 1200 R Upd. 10/07. By TS/Pictures: BMW
BMW K1000S or MotoGP prototype? Interview with Dr. Diess of BMW Motorrad
In our recent interview with Dr. Herbert Diess, the Director of BMW Motorrad, he makes it very clear that BMW is not working on a MotoGP prototype. Picture of Dr. Diess courtesy of BMW. Other pictures are used for illustration purposes only. Here are some extracts from that interview: Dr. Diess on 800cc MotoGP prototype: There will definitely be no MotoGP prototype – that is MCN speculation without any basis in fact.And: BMW Motorrad is not developing any MotoGP prototypes. BMW further emphasises that the bike shown in various magazines on racetracks are purely a "technology bearer" to test new BMW features under extreme riding conditions. Read more here.
BMW has big plans for its new 800cc F-series in 2006 and 2007. F800S and ST has just been launched in South Africa, but not enough with only a S and ST version. Next year we will see yet another two models with the 800cc parallel twin engine in a naked R and offroad GS version. We are 90% certain about the F800R both when concerning model name and concept. Whether the 800cc offroader will actually be called F800GS is still up for speculation. Expect more than 90bhp in the F800R and a detuned F800GS. Whilst at it rumours about yet another Aprilia co-operation has also emerged. What about a RXV 450 engine in a BMW HP chassis? Our designers impressions illustrate how cool a F800R could be. Pic: Hugo van Waaijen
BMW HP 1, 2, 3 and 4 ?
BMW are busy bees these days and have several new models also for the 2007 model year. But what would you say about HP1, HP2 Sport, HP3 or HP4 Sport? BMW's K1200S is reported to have been tuned for a HP4 version. Rumour has it that there's going to be 190bhp and that the standard K1200S frames have bent during testing. Due to the frame problem the project has been delayed. Suddenly I have also noticed that BMW is more careful calling the 2005 HP HP2 Enduro. BMW might have finished a 1-cylinder Supermoto version of the F650GS already. That will be the HP1. HP2 Enduro is already on sale and it is believed the new R1200S will receive the HP treatment as well as HP2 Sport. So what does this leave us? Yes, you guessed it, there must be a HP3 as well. Now this would be big news. BMW launched their attack on the Japanese manufacturers with K1200S and R, is Triumph next? If the HP3 is real, we believe BMW might be working with Aprilia on a three cylinder engine. BMW is certainly in the wind these days. Our speculation goes in the lines of one new HP model a year. HP4 Sport, yes please. TS
